Process for refining a molten metal and an apparatus therefor

Refining apparatus for molten metal comprising:

• a refining vessel of the pot-type tiltable by rotation and which can be charged with flux and molten metal to be refined;
• at least one electrode generally vertically disposed in the upper portion of said refining vessel for heating the charged molten metal;
• a first inert gas blowing means for blowing an inert gas into the molten metal, said first gas blowing means comprising a blowing nozzle. exiting to the interior of said vessel above the molten metal level when the vessel is in the upright position, but which nozzle is immersed in the molten metal only when said refining vessel is tilted by rotation;
• and a second inert gas blowing means from which inert gas is blown into the molten metal contained in the refining vessel when said vessel is in the upright position prior to its being tilted.